Tilt boom loader



Nov. 1, 1966 H. P. ATCHESON 3,282,450

TILT BOOM LOADER Filed Feb. 24, 1965 2 sheets-sheet 1 6/ Huber Afa/Jason V -B ;42 INVENTOR. -58

United States Patent O Fiied Feb. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 434,816 4 Claims. (Cl. 214-75) This invention relates to a loading attachment for trucks and more particularly to a boom-type loader for logs.

Numerous motor operated boom-type loaders have been designed in an attempt to facilitate the loading of trucks which haul pulp wood, logs, or the like. Units of this type generally were provided with a cantilevered boom which was .adapted to swing over the side of the truck. The boom was further provided with a winch and cable to engage and hoist the logs, or the like.

The boom-type loaders of this type heretofore known have not been entirely satisfactory because they were not provided with a simple eilcient means of effortlessly swinging the hoisted log, or the like, into position over the bed of the truck for placement thereon- It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a boom loader attachment for trucks which is adapted to drag a log to the truck and subsequently hoist the log up onto the truck lwith a minimum of effort upon the part of the persons utilizing the loader.

Another object of this invention is to provide a boom loader attachment for trucks which automatically swings the hoisted log, or the like, from a position beside a truck to a position astride a truck body.

A further object of this invention is to provide a selfcontained boom loader attachment for trucks which may be secured to the chassis of a conventional truck.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a boom loader attachment for trucks which includes a boom mast which may be selectively adjusted so as to provide gravity means for swinging the boom from a load engaging position lateral of the truck to a load depositing position substantially longitudinal above the body of the truck.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the boom-type loader attachment embodying the present invention mounted on a truck chassis, and further showing an operator loading the truck with pulp wood logs;

FIGURE 2 is `a top plan view of the boom-type loader of the present invention shown mounted on a truck chassis, further showing how the boom may be rotated 360 to facilitate loading of the forward and rear portion of the truck;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the boom loader taken substantially along the plane of the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the boom-type loader with portions broken away in section to reveal interior details; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the boom-type loader with a lportion broke away to show details of the boom mast adjusting means.

Referring now to the drawings and FIGURE 1 in particular, there is illustrated a boom-type loader attachment for trucks which is indicated generally at 10. The truck 12 and its associated chassis 14 are shown for purposes of illustration only, and do not lconstitute a part of the present invention. The boom-type loader attachment includes a pair of horizontal spaced apart frame mem- 3,282,450 Patented Nov. l, 1966 bers 16 and 17 which are secured to the chassis 14 of the truck 12. As seen best in FIGURES 2 and 4, the horizontal frame members 16 and 17 are preferably formed of angle iron or the like. i

Adjacent the forward end of the horizontal frame members 16 and 17 there is provided a forward loadretaining means 18 `which includes a pair of upright standards 20 land 22. The upright standards 20 and 22 may be provided with a plurality of cross braces 24. The forward load retaining means may also be provided with an operators 'control platform. It will be understood, however, that the boom-type loader attachment controls may be placed elsewhere at any suitable convenient position on the loader attachment frame or the truck. The forward load retaining means 1S may be formed of angle iron, channel members, or the like and is preferably braced by gusset members 26 in a -conventional manner. The forward load retaining means 18 is preferably secure-d to the horizontal frame members 16 and 17 by welding, for example.

A rear load retaining means 32 is provided adjacent the rear of the horizontal frame members 16 and 17 and includes a pair of upright standards 34 and 36 which may be formed of angle iron, channel iron, or the like. The rear load retaining means 32 is further provided with one `or more cross braces 3S. Gussets 40 are provided to brace the upright standards 34 and 36. The rear load retaining means is assembled and secured to the horizontal frame members 16 and 17 by means of welding, or the like.

The boom-type loader 10 further includes a pair of upright spaced apart parallel post members 42 and 44 which are secured to the horizontal frame members 16 and 17 by suitable means such as welding, for example. The upright parallel posts 42 and 44 are preferably formed of U-shaped channel members for reasons which will become clear. As seen best in FIGURES 2 and 4, the flanges 0f the U-shaped portion of the upright posts 42 and 44 project inwardly of the truck body. A bracing means indicated generally at 46 is provided to brace the upright posts 42 and 44. As seen best in FIGURES 1 and 4, the bracing means 46 includes a plurality of generally L-shaped angle iron braces 48. As seen best in FIGURES 3 and 4, the upright post bracing means 46 also functions to protect a power takeo powered hydraulically operated which indicated generally at 50. Accordingly, the generally L-shaped braces 48 may be covered with suitable metal plating 52 to preclude the possibility of a log, or the like, inadvertently dropping onto the hydraulic winch 54). The winch cover plate 52 is provided with an aperture 54 to permit the upward passage of the winch cable 51. It will be noted that the generally L-shaped braces 48 in effect also function to slightly reduce the loading capacity of their respective forward or rear compartment, accordingly, the generally L-shaped brace members 43 may be substantially longer than shown so as to provide a weight distribution means to insure proper distribution of the load. In other words, by elongating the rearmost members 48 the load capacity of the rear compartment would be somewhat reduced thereby tending to lessen the possibility of overloading the overhanging portion of the chassis 14.

Adjacent the upper ends, the upright post 42 and 44 pivotally support a mast support means indicated generally at 54. The mast support means 54 includes a tubular member 56 which is rotatably secured between the upright posts 42 and 44 by a pair of stub shafts 58 and 60. A plurality of apertured plug members 62 are welded inside the tubular member 56 to provide a means of rotatably journaling the mast support means 54 to the upright posts 42 and 44. As seen best in FIGURE 4, a

pair of flat plates 64 and 65 are welded to the inside of the U-shaped posts 42 and 44 adjacent their upper ends thus boxing in the channel member, As seen best in FIGURES 3 and 4, a U-shaped channel member 66 is Welded between the opposed plates 64 and 65 and the opposed posts 42 and 44. The channel member 66 has a dual function, first it provides a means of rigidly securing the upper ends of the posts 42 and 44, and secondly it cooperates to form one portion of a stop means which is utilized in positioning the mast support means 54, as will become clear. The channel member 66 is provided with an aperture 67 for the throughpassage of the winch cable 51.

The stub shafts 58 and 60 of the mast support means 54 pass through suitable apertures in the plates 64 and 65 and the support posts 42 and 44 and are secured in outwardly projecting bosses 59 and 61 by means of set screws, pins, etc. (not shown). Although not shown, it will be understood that the apertured plugs 62 and the bosses 59 and 61 may be provided with suitable antifriction means, such as ball or roller bearings, for exn ample.

The mast support means 54 further includes a pair of downwardly projecting integral tilt plates 70 and 72 which are secured adjacent the outer lower ends of the tubular member 56 by suitable means such as welding, for example. As seen best in FIGURE 3, the two plates 70 and 72 provide a means of rotatably adjusting the mast support means 54. In the position shown in FIGURE 3 the tilt plate 72 is operatively positioned between a pair of tilt pins 74 and 76 which protrude through suitable apertures in the post 44 and the plate 65 to limit the arcuate travel on the depending end of the tilt plate 72.

In a similar fashion the tilt plate 70 may be adjusted by use of pins 78 and 80 which also pass through suitable apertures in the upright posts 42 and the plate 64 and project into the path of the tilt plate 70. In the position shown in FIGURE S, the two plates 70 and 72 have been selectively positioned by withdrawing the pins 78 and 74 thereby permitting the tilt plates 70 and 72 to assume the position shown in FIGURE 5. Subsequently, the tilt pins 74 and 78 are re-inserted thereby positively positioning the mast support means 54 into the position shown in FIGURE for reasons which will become clear.

A generally upright tubular mast means indicated generally at 81 is rigidly secured to the mast support means 54 by suitable means such as welding, for example. The tubular mast means 81 includes a lower tubular portion 82 of relatively large diameter and an integral upstanding portion 84 of relatively smaller diameter. The juncture of the relatively larger tubular member S1 and the relatively smaller tubular member 84 provides a shoulder which operatively positions an anti-friction bearing 86. Adjacent its upper end the member 84 is provided with a region of reduced diameter for the reception of an upper anti-friction bearing 88. The member 84 is also provided with a threaded portion adjacent its upper end for reasons which will become apparent. As seen best in FIGURE 3, the tubular mast means S1 provides a means of rotatably supporting a free swinging boom indicated generally at 90. The free swinging boom 90 includes a bearing housing 94 and an integral mounting plate 96. The bearing housing 94 is rotatably carried by the anti-friction bearings 86 and 88 and is secured in this rotatable relationship by nut `85 which is threadably received on the threaded portion 83 of the Iupper portion '84 of the mast means 81` The boom 90 further includes a tubular member 98 to which Vis secured a pair of gusset plates 100 and 102 and their integral apertured tabs which provide a means of bolting the boom 90 to the bearing housing 94 by means of bolts 104 as seen best in FIGURES 3 and 4. The boom means 90 further includes a pair of outer pulley mounting plates 106 and 108. The boom means 90 further includes a truss member 110. The boom means is further provided with an inner cable pulley 112 which is rotatably journaled on a shaft 114 and an outer cable pulley 116 which is rotatably journaled on a shaft 118 as seen best in FIGURE 3. The winch cable 51 eX- tends upwardly from the winch between the upright posts 42 and 44 and then through the tubular mast means 81 and around the boom cable pulleys 112 and 116.

It will be understood, of course, that all the various component parts which are rigidly secured may be joined by welding, or the like.

Although only schematically shown, it will be -understood that the hydraulic winch 50 is operated by a suitable hydraulic means which derives its power from the power takeolf shaft of the truck, and ywhich may be controlled in a conventional manner by suitable motor control and hydraulic valve control means to wind up and pay out the winch cable 51.

In operation, the boom loader of the present invention would be utilized in the following manner. With the truck 12 alongside logs or the like which it is desired to load the mast -support means 81 would be adjusted to the position shown in FIGURES l and S so that the mast 81 is tilted slightly towards the horizontal. With the mast means 81 and its rotatably secured hoorn means 90 in the position shown in FIGURES l and 5, it will be apparent that the boom 90 will tend to align itself in the full line position shown in FIGURE 2 due to the inclined axis 81 about which the boom 90 is freely rotatable. With the boom set in the position shown in FIGURE 5, the rearmost compartment of the truck 12 may be loaded.

The winch cable 51 would be payed out and the boom 90 swung out over the side of the truck by means of grasping the payed out winch cable 51 to utilize the load engaging means to engage a log, or the like which is alongside the truck 12. This would normally be accomplished by a cable man who assists the winch operator. With the load engaging means 53 grasping the log the winch operator would reel in the cable, consequently dragging the log along the ground to the truck and as the weight of the log clears the ground and is supported solely by the boom 90, the boom 90 will tend to swing toward the rest position as shown by full line position in FIGURE 2 due to the forces of gravity established by the inclination of the tubular mast means 81 about which the boom 90 is freely rotatable. Accordf ingly, it may be seen, that it is a relatively simple matter to load a suitable number of logs, or the like on the truck.

When the load has reached a sufficient height so that the boom 90 does not clear the load when swinging to the rest position shown in FIGURE 2, pins 74 and 78 would be withdrawn and the mast support means adjusted into the position shown in FIGURE 3, andthe pins 74 and 78 reinserted wherein the mast means S1 will assume a substantially vertical position. In the position shown in FIG- URE 3 of course any logs hoisted upon the truck to top the load would have to be manually swung around into proper position.

The procedure for loading the forward compartment of the truck 12 would be similar to the procedure for loading the rear portion with the exception that the mast support means 54 would be adjusted by withdrawing the pins and 76 to permit the tilt plates 70 and 72 to move clockwise and then come to rest against the upstanding portion of the member 66 thus inclining the tubular mast means 81 into the broken line position shown in FIG- URE l thereby permitting the boom means to swing around into the broken line position shown in FIGURE l by virtue of its 'own Weight. The loading of the forward portion of the truck 12 would then proceed in the manner similar to loading of the rear portion.

ACCOrdiIlgly, it may be seen that there has been provided a relatively simple yet efcient boom-type loader attachment for a truck which is highly ecient. The design of the present boom-type loader permits a substantial reduction in the parts that would be required to fabricate a fully power operated boom, which would be rotated by power means.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A a loading attachment for trucks, comprising a horizontal frame secured to the chassis of said truck, a pair of upright spaced apart parallel post members secured to said horizontal frame intermediate its ends, a mast support means secured between said parallel posts adjacent the top of said posts for limited rotational adjustment about a horizontal axis transverse to the truck body, a generally upright tubular mast carried by said mast supp-ort means, an elongated tubular boom extending at an angle from said tubular mast and rotatably secured thereto for rotation about an axis longitudinal of said mast, a power winch disposed adjacent the base of said upri-ght posts, said winch including a cable having an end extending upwardly between said posts, through the mast and -outwardly through the boom, said cable including a free end disposed beyond the outer en d of said boom, load engaging means connected to said free end of the cable, and means adapted to couple said winch to a power takeoff shaft of the truck.

2. A loading attachment for trucks comprising a horizontal frame secured to the chassis of said truck, a pair of upright spaced parallel post members secured to said horizontal frame intermediate its ends, a mast support means secured between said parallel posts adjacent the top of said posts for limited rotational adjustment about a horizontal axis transverse to the truck body, said mast support means including adjusting means for selectively positioning said mast support at a point about its axis, a generally upright tubular mast carried by said mast support means, said mast support adjusting means cooperating to adjust said mast between a substantially vertical position and a position inclined toward the horizontal, an elongated tubular boom extending at an angle from said tubular mast and rotatably secured thereto for rotation about an axis longitudinal of said mast, a power winch disposed adjacent the base of said upright posts, said winch including a cable having an end extending upwardly between said posts through the mast and outwardly through the boom, said cable including a -free end `disposed beyond the outer end of said boom, load engaging means connected to said free end of the cable, and means adapted to couple said winch to a power takeoff shaft of the truck.

3. A loading attachment for trucks comprising a horizontal frame secured -to the chassis of said truck, a pair of upright spaced parallel post members secured to said horizontal frame intermediate its ends, a mast support means secured between said parallel posts adjacent the top of said posts for limited rotational adjustment about a horizontal axis transverse to the truck body, a generally upright tubular mast carried by said mast support means, and elongated tubular boom extending at an langle from said tubular mast and rotatably secured thereto for free yrotation about an axis longitudinal of said mast, said mast support means being operatively positionable at an angle toward the horizontal, said inclination of said mast support -thereby causing the rotation of said tubular boom under the inuence of gravity from a iirst position lateral of said truck to a second position in overlying relationship of said truck.

4. A loading attachment for trucks comprising a horizontal frame secured to the chassis of said truck, a pair of upright -spaced parallel -post members secured to said horizontal frame intermediate its ends, a mast support means secured between said parallel posts adjacent the top of said posts for limited rotational adjustment about a horizontal axis transverse to the truck body, said mast support means including adjusting means for selectively positioning said mast support at a point about its axis, said adjusting means including a generally U-shaped channel member secured between said upright parallel post members beneath said mast support means with the upstanding portions of said U-shaped channel member towards that mast support means, an integral downwardly projecti-oning mast support tilt limiting means secured to said mast support means, said tilt limiting means comprising a tilt plate, said tilt plate, being limited in its arcuate movement by said upstanding portions of said generally U-shaped transverse channel member beneath said mast support means, a generally upright tubular mast carried by said mast support means, said mast support adjusting means and said mast support tilt plate cooperating to adjust said mast between a substantially vertical position and a position inclined toward the horizontal, an elongated tubular boom extending at an angle from said tubular mast and rotatably .secured thereto for free `rotation about an axis longitudinal of said mast, the inclination of said mast causing said elongated tubular boom to rotate from a first position lateral of said truck to a second position substantially overlying said truck under fthe influence of gravity, a power winch disposed adjacent the base of said upright post, said winch including a cable having an end extending upwardly between said post through the mast and outwardly through the boom, said cable including a free end disposed beyond the outer end of said boom, load engaging means connected to `said free end of the cable, and means adapted to couple said winch to a power takeoff shaft of the truck.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,289,487 7/ 1942 Dickson 212-51 2,374,045 4/ 1945 Soucia 212-51 X 2,940,621 6/1960 White 214-75 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

R. G. SHERIDAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A A LOADING ATTACHMENT FOR TRUCKS, COMPRISING A HORIZONTAL FRAME SECURED TO THE CHASSIS OF SAID TRUCK, A PAIR OF UPRIGHT SPACED APART PARALLEL POST MEMBERS SECURED TO SAID HORIZONTAL FRAME INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS, A MAST SUPPORT MEANS SECURED BETWEEN SAID PARALLEL POSTS ADJACENT THE TOP OF SAID POSTS FOR LIMITED ROTATIONAL ADJUSTMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS TRANSVERSE TO THE TRUCK BODY, A GENERALLY UPRIGHT TUBULAR MAST CARRIED BY SAID MAST SUPPORT MEANS, AN ELONGATED TUBULAR BOOM EXTENDING AT AN ANGLE FROM SAID TUBULAR MAST AND ROTATABLY SECURED THERETO FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS LONGITUDINAL OF SAID MAST, A POWER WINCH DISPOSED ADJACENT THE BASE OF SAID UPRIGHT POSTS, SAID WINCH INCLUDING A CABLE HAVING AN END EXTENDINGLY UPWARDLY BETWEEN SAID POSTS, THROUGH THE MAST AND OUTWARDLY THROUGH THE BOOM, SAID CABLE INCLUDING A FREE END DISPOSED BEYOND THE OUTER END OF SAID BOOM, LOAD ENGAGING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID FREE END OF THE CABLE, AND MEANS ADAPTED TO COUPLE SAID WINCH TO A POWER TAKEOFF SHAFT OF THE TRUCK. 